Locking cap for fuel tanks



J. E. wHrrLEY LOCKING CAP FOR FUEL TANKS 0t.1s,192s. 1,687,601

.A Filed June 1s, y1927 54' Inventor QE /W/zzff PatentedfOct. 16,1928. j l

l uNl'rEn A"sra :mns n wHimLnY, or HnMn'r, CALIFORNIA.

LOCKING CAP FOR FUEL TANKS.

Application led .Tune 13,

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in caps for fuel tanks such as those used on automobiles, and aims to proi vide-a highlyvnovel, simple, and easily detachable cap for the filler necks of fuel tanks that is so constructed as to permit the cap to be positively locked in closed position, so that the contents ot the tank cannot be-v drained by unauthorized parties.

Generally the cap consists of a member for L threaded engagement with the filler neck of a tank, after which the same is positively secured thereto, there being associated with said member a swinging cap that is constructed for locking engagement with the member, a hand knob being provided to permit the unlocking of the cap, aftery a latch unit has been released by a proper key in the possession of the operator. l

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the referred embodiment of the invention,

Figure 1 is a top plan view di my improved locking cap.

Figure 2 is a detail longitudinal section thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged plan view of the sliding latch bolt casing, the top plate there@ ofbeing removed, and the operating-means for releasing the latch bolt being disclosed in cross section, and

Figure 4. is a' vtransverse section of thellatch bolt casing, the b olt operating means being partially disclosed in cross section ,while the ,cap member per se is disclosed in edge elevation, this view more clearly disclosing the manner :of association of the cap per se, with.

the casing and the bolt actuating'm'eans.

Now having particular reference to the drawing, in Figure 2, A designates frag mentarily a fuel tank provided with the usual circular iiller neck B, which in the present instance isdisclosed as being threaded internally. My improved device consists of an externally threaded collar 5, threaded within the neck B, after which it is securely v fastened thereto, by a pin locked set screw 6. Directly beneath the upper edge of-this collar 5` the same is` formed externally with a lateral flange 7, :formed at its outer` edge and at diametrically opposed.- pointsV with lvertically' extending prongs 8 and 9, the

prong 9 bein slightly shorter than the prong 8 and being 'armed at its opposite ends with upstanding lhinge knuckles 10-10. The

1927. Serial No. 198,586.

tongue 8 is curved to conform to the curvature of the flange 7 and is formed at its inner side and adjacent its upper end with a latch bolt receiving' notch l1. The invention further consists of a relatively narrow and flat like latch bolt casing l2, open at its top side and forward end and formed at its inner end with a tongue 13, for dispositionl within the knuckles 10-10 of the collar tongue 9, so that the same maybepivoted therebetween, 'as at' 14:.- Slidable longitudinally Within this casing 12 is a flat like latch bolt 15, theouter end of which is rounded, as indicated in Figure 3, while this rounded edge is tapered as .indicated in Figure 2, in order that it may spring vinto the notch 11 inthev collar tongue 8, when the cap `unit is dropped, or forced into closed position. This latch bolt 15 is limited in its sliding movement by reason of pin and notch connections 16, between the latch bolt and the vcasing 12, as indicated in Figure 3. One

edge of this latch bolt is formed with an en larged inwardly extending notch 17 the rear f edge of which'isf'of curvilinear formation, as 1n Figure 3. Projecting' upwardly through this notch is a pin 18, rigidly associated with the bottom of the casing 12. Bent around Athe outer Aside of this pin 18 and engaging at one end within the inner end of the notch 17, and at its opposite end along' the outer edge of the latch bolt is a leaf spring 19, provided to normally force the outer edge of `the latch bolt through the casingt12, s0

that the same will engage in the`notch 11 of said hollow tongue 8.

Arranged upon the top side of this casing `12 is a'closure plate 20, rigidly secured thereto, by pins or rivets as suggested in Figure 1.

The invention further consists of a circular flanged top-- member, 20, within which is a suitable lpacking'disc-2-1. Upon thetop side of this cap 20 and at the center thereof is an upstanding pin' 22,"that is loosely arranged throu h an opening in the bottom wall ofthe latch in lt housing 12. Extending upwardly from the bottom wall of this latch bolt casing 12 is a hollow pin 23, within which ajpin 22 extends, the pin 22 being connected to the hollow pin 23 by cross pin 24, passing through registering openings in the hollow casing pin 23 and a widened slot in the cap pin 22, this widened slot being for the purpose of permitting movement between'the cap 2O and the casing 12, softhat the cap will 'propl 'erly engage the -u paragraaf-fe 5 when thedeviceis closed. 1 f

l The upperend-"ofthe latch bolt ca'singpin 23 is threaded internally for receivinga head-v ed and threaded screw'A 25, the lower end 'of` which ,bears against an expansible coil-spring 26, located 'within this hollow pin for-the purs pose-of normally pressing agamst the cap pin '22,'to maintain thesame in tight engagement with the collar 5. A A

Loosely mounted u Qn'the hollowypin a sleeve 27, equippe at its upper end witha thumb knob 28,- and theloyver end of thisA sleeve 28 being formed with a lug 29 as indithe cap pin'22 and casing pin 23 extend, this;

opening being of a dimensionsuitablelto allow ofthe longitudinal sliding movement 'of the bolt within the saidicasin'g. The -edge of" this opening 30 adjacent the lug"29of the ksleeve 27 is formed with 'a-notch'Sl within which this lug is arranged, so that-whenthe` A 2. In a latchfor tank closures whereinthe thumb member 28 of the sleeve isiturnedjn one direction, the boltl5 will be slid inwardly against the action of the spring 19 and thus be retracted from the notch 1l in the collar: tongue 8. -However,`vin order toprevent such'- a turning vof this sleeve 28, and-Othe conse.- quent movement'of the bolt 15, the inner end of the bolt is formed with a notch 32, while mounted for movement within the ca'sing12 in back ofthe forward end of this notch is a pin '33, equipped with a' lateral camv lug 34,

which, when the pin isturned, to the'positio'n indicated in Figure 3, will engageltheforwardedge ofthe said notch.32, tolprevent the inward sliding movement of. the latch bolt 15.'v The upper end of thisvpin extends through an opening in the top plate 20 of the latch casing and is so'iormed as to permit of its turning by a suitable key. I

It will thus be seen that I have provided a highly novel, simple and efficiently operating locking cap for fuel tank that is well adapted. for all of the purposes heretofore designated,

and even though I have herein shown and described the invention as consisting of certain p detail structural-elements, it is nevertheless to be understood \that-some changes `may be made therein without affecting the spirit and scope of the appending claims. Y

Having th'us described 'my invention, what 55 -.1. 'In a latch for tank closures wherein the Fclosure is formed with lan internal shoulder,

a cap for said closure for disposition'against 4said shoulder, an upstanding member on said y ,ca`p,*a hollow bar hingedly connected at :one end to the closure, a bolt slidable withinthe bar, the outer end of the bolt beingengagefable within asocket formed in the closure,

means within the hollow y-bar for eife'cting a tension against the upstanding member of the capQ- said bolt being formed with an inter(- gmediate Yopening-'and having an offset notch, .ajrotatable member j projecting within the 4hollowbar and 'havin Aits inner end disposed vvithinthe opening o the bolt,.s'aid member being. fzu'ov'ided with a lug eng'ageable with A the Qnotch whereby` the rotary movementA A-ihereoffwill cause the inward movement of` '7l' I u) the`bolt within the hollow bar.

closure is of annular shape and formed withan4 internal shoulder, a oapfforsaid closure and adaptedlfor .disposition against the said shoulder, an upstanding member on 'said cap, the hollow;7 bar hing'edlyl connected atone end to the`closure`,'a 'boltY slidable Within the bar,

the outerr` end of the Vbolt being-engageable vwithin a socket fermedinthe closure, said Abolt beingiformed with an intermediate opening and havingan offset notch, .a tube extendingzfwithin-thehollovbar andV terminating-withinftheopening of thebolt, a slidable lsaid Asleeve being provided with a lug engage- Vable the notch of the bolt, so that when the same is properly rotated,ithe bolt will be retracted. Y

testimony whereof I aix my signature. 'l

t JAMES VE. WHiTLnY. 

